How Choose Best GPU for i5 9400F? A detailed buying guide

Intel and AMD are the world’s largest and most well-known computer hardware companies. For many decades, these two companies have been in direct competition with each other, each striving to provide their customers with the best possible performance and features. The Intel Core i5 9400F is a prime example of the brand’s commitment to delivering excellent mid-tier gaming performance at an affordable price. This processor provides impressive speed, efficiency, and overall performance.

There is not much difference, only a 2.4% performance increase, between the 8th-generation equivalent and i5 9400F, you can get the most out of it with a good-quality graphics card. For this, you must know how to choose best GPU for i5 9400F when comparing different options and selecting one. This buying guide explores all the important factors and aspects you must consider when buying a compatible graphics card. Read this post to get a better idea about the buying process. Let’s learn!

Best GPUs for i5 9400F

Suppose you don’t have much time to read this entire buying guide. In such a case, we have chosen several and tested all, but added and reviewed a few best ones in this article: Best GPUs for i5 9400F. You should check the list of different GPU options given in the article and get a better idea about what the best GPUs for the i5 9400F looks like. Moreover, you can check the pros and cons of each, along with the in-detail review to take your selection to a precise level. 

Factors to consider

Here are the essential factors you must consider when selecting a graphics card for the i5 9400F. 

Brand

The choice of a graphics card brand can be a significant challenge for many users due to the variety of options available. The first consideration when choosing a brand should be the type of card you need. If you are looking for a simply-designed card with excellent features without any additional features or frills, Nvidia is a good option. Nvidia is known for producing reliable, straightforward graphics cards that perform well in demanding applications.

However, if you are looking for a card with more style and design features, you may consider other options, such as AMD or third-party brands such as MSI, EVGA, XFX, or Gigabyte. These brands often offer graphics cards with visually appealing designs, such as customizable RGB lighting, metal backplates, and more. 

Additionally, these brands often offer more advanced cooling solutions, which can be important for users who plan to overclock their graphics card. It is important to remember that the choice of brand should be based on your specific needs and usage requirements. If you plan to use your graphics card for demanding gaming, video editing, or 3D modeling applications, you may need a more powerful card with advanced features. 

On the other hand, a primary card may be sufficient if you simply plan to use your graphics card for everyday tasks such as web browsing and office work. Ultimately, a graphics card brand choice will depend on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a brand that will provide you with the performance and features you need.

Budget

When shopping for a graphics card, the budget is a crucial factor that cannot be ignored. Every user has a certain amount of money to spend, and it is essential to consider this when choosing a card. If you have a limited budget, finding a good graphics card that will meet your needs is still possible. However, you may need extra effort to find the right option.

To help you in your search, we have included some budget-friendly options in our article. These options provide good performance for the price and are a good choice for users who want to get the most bang for their buck. However, it is crucial to remember that lower-priced options may have fewer features or lower performance than more expensive cards.

It is also worth noting that the budget will also impact the quality and longevity of the graphics card. Higher-end cards are typically built with higher-quality components, which can result in better performance and a longer lifespan. However, this also means that these cards tend to be more expensive.

Ultimately, the choice of a graphics card will depend on your individual budget and needs. Considering both factors, you can find a card that will provide the performance you need and meet your budget constraints. Whether you have a small or large budget, it is possible to find a good graphics card that will meet your needs.

Performance

A graphics processing unit (GPU) is essential to enjoy high-quality graphics and handle intense gaming or content creation sessions. When purchasing a GPU, it is vital to ensure it performs well and does not cause lags or slowdowns during usage. 

A GPU that does not meet your needs or perform well can be a source of frustration and negatively impact your overall experience. To avoid this, it is crucial to ensure that the GPU you choose can handle the load you will put on it. This means considering factors such as the card’s performance specifications, memory, and cooling capabilities. 

You can get help from experts in this field or check customer reviews to get an idea of the performance of a particular card. These reviews can provide valuable insights into the real-world performance of a card and help you make an informed decision.

VRAM size

The amount of video or graphics memory, also known as VRAM, is an essential factor to consider when choosing a graphics card. VRAM is similar to volatile memory and has a direct impact on the performance of the card. A graphics card with more VRAM will typically perform better than a card with less VRAM, as it allows more data to be stored and processed.

The amount of VRAM you need will depend on the graphics quality you want to achieve. If you are using a 1080p resolution, a graphics card with 4GB or 6GB of VRAM will be sufficient. However, if you are using a higher resolution, such as 1440p, choosing a card with 8GB or more of VRAM is recommended. For 4K resolution, choosing a card with 10GB or more of VRAM is recommended.

It is important to remember that the VRAM size is not the only factor affecting a graphics card’s performance. Other factors, such as the clock speed, core count, and memory interface width, also play a role in determining the overall performance of a card. However, VRAM size is a significant factor to consider, and it is vital to choose a card with enough VRAM to meet your needs and achieve the desired graphics quality.

In conclusion, the amount of VRAM is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a graphics card. A card with more VRAM will typically perform better, and the amount of VRAM needed will depend on the graphics quality you want to achieve. Considering the VRAM size and other factors, you can find a graphics card that will meet your needs and provide the desired performance.

Form factor

The form factor of a graphics card refers to its physical dimensions, including the card’s length, width, and height. When choosing a graphics card, it is essential to ensure it will fit appropriately into your PC case.

Every PC case has a specific measurement for the graphics card socket, and it is essential to ensure that the card you choose will fit into it. If the card is too large or too small, it may not fit properly into the case, and as a result, the card will not perform as expected. This can lead to various issues, including reduced performance, overheating, and even damage to the card or the case.

Therefore, before purchasing a graphics card, it is crucial to check the socket size of your PC case and match it with the dimensions of the card you are considering. You can typically find this information in the case specifications and the card and compare them to ensure that it will fit properly.

In conclusion, the form factor of a graphics card is an essential factor to consider when choosing a card. By ensuring that the card will fit appropriately into the PC case, you can ensure that it will perform as expected and provide the desired performance for your gaming or content creation needs.

Thermals

When a graphics card operates at maximum capacity, it can consume a significant amount of power, leading to high levels of heat generation and potential thermal issues. To address this, many brands have implemented the latest cooling technologies to help manage heat production.

It is important to consider the cooling features of the graphics card you are considering. During intense gaming or content creation sessions, the card may operate at peak performance levels and generate a lot of heat. To prevent thermal problems and ensure reliable performance, you should check that the card you choose has all the necessary cooling technologies required for high-level overclocking.

Considering the graphics card’s cooling features, you can ensure that it will perform well even under heavy load and prevent any potential thermal issues that could impact its performance.